Iran links Hormuz reopening to US commitments after Oman deal

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday that Tehran had reached an agreement with Muscat on a passage route through the Strait of Hormuz, linking any reopening of the strategic waterway to Washington's fulfillment of commitments under the collapsed Islamabad Memorandum.

Oman deal sets terms for Hormuz reopening

Speaking to Iranian state media, Pezeshkian said the proposed passage route had been communicated to Iran's supreme leader and that officials were now following up on implementation. "We agreed with Oman on the passage route through Hormuz, and if the US fulfills its commitments under the memorandum of understanding, we will open the strait," he said, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency.

The Iranian president outlined specific conditions for reopening the chokepoint, including the lifting of sanctions and blockade measures, the release of frozen assets, the commencement of investment plans worth $300 billion, and an end to the war in Lebanon. "We are now following up on the matter. If the US fulfills its commitments regarding lifting the sanctions and blockade, releasing assets, beginning investment and ending the war in Lebanon, we will also open the Strait of Hormuz," he said.

Security council backs 'exceptional' consensus

Pezeshkian highlighted internal backing for the diplomatic initiative, noting that Iran's Supreme National Security Council had reached what he called an "exceptional" consensus on the agreement, with 12 of its 13 members voting in favor. "This collective wisdom was a major achievement," he said.

The president added that the US side had effectively accepted the need to return to the memorandum's terms. "As far as the talks have progressed, they also accept that we must return to the memorandum of understanding," he said, referring to American negotiators.

Islamabad Memorandum collapsed over compliance

The original Islamabad Memorandum, signed in June, had provided for an extension of the April ceasefire between Washington and Tehran while allowing gradual shipping returns to prewar levels. Pezeshkian noted that sanctions were initially lifted under that framework and negotiations began on releasing frozen Iranian funds, with plans being prepared for $300 billion in investment.

Iran had been working to restore the Strait of Hormuz — the world's most important oil chokepoint — to its previous status when the deal fell apart last month. "But because they did not comply, the memorandum of understanding collapsed," he said. Tehran and Muscat have since held talks on managing shipping through the waterway since the agreement unraveled.